Irkutsk Branch of the Russian Red Cross (I/RRC) has been running a new program aimed at HIV-infection prevention in Irkutsk City since June 1, 2010.
I/RRC “Patient’s School” is considered to be the key element of the program, which should be run constantly in Irkutsk City. Besides it also comprises a complex of interconnected events, such as group interactive sessions and individual consultation sessions, targeted at raising the effectiveness of HIV-infection treatment, preserving the quality of family lives of those people who are affected by HIV, and preventing further dissemination of HIV-infection.
Everyone affected by HIV-infection, who cares for his/her health and the health of his/her family members and close surroundings, can visit I/RRC “Patient’s School” at the following address: 4th floor, 10, St. Furye, Irkutsk City to get a qualified confidential consultation. Medial, social, psychological assistance and legal aid are also planned to be given to HIV-positive people and their families in this community.
I/RRC has been a leading resource and expertise center in RRC since 2007 in the sphere of providing assistance to HIV-infected/affected people, which will train specialists to replicate the program in other regions of Russia.
It is desirable that the new Red Cross program should facilitate the union of government and non- government organizations that provide services for people affected by HIV.

R RC “Patient’s School” program is conducted according to the agreement between RRC and the Federal Service on Monitoring and Protection of Consumers’ Rights and Welfare, in line with the Russian Federation Government decree № 1079”On providing RRC with the subsidy to implement programs aimed at fighting with HIV-infection” of December 23, 2009.